Page 38 of Betting Brett

“I did, too,” I say, kissing him back. “Want to start heading back? Maybe we can have round two in your bedroom.”

“Round two, three, four.”

“Alright, hold on there, stallion. We need to sleep, too.”

Brett growls and pulls me against him so that I can feel every subtle plane and curve of his body. “More than this?”“I guess we can pull an all-nighter,” I say with a smile.

We walk back to the truck feeling much lighter like every step that crunches on gravel is actually on a puffy cloud. Yes, the challenges ahead of us are still looming large, but at least this time offered us some kind of brief escape. That’s why Brett and I always worked so well. Because even as best friends, we found peace and comfort by being with each other.

And I’m never going to let that go.

22

Brett

Theonebrightpointin the papers that Darlene had filed was that they were for emergency custody. That meant the court date was set as soon as possible on the assumption that the child in question was in danger. So we didn’t have to wait long for it to be decided. The court date was a week after the process server had surprised us with the documents. It was a blessing in my mind. I’m not sure that I would have lasted much longer.

If I had thought the night the papers were delivered was a roller coaster, it was nothing compared to the days after. Even the tempestuous hormone seas of puberty hadn’t caused the kind of mood swings that I was going through now. Within half an hour, I could go from being sure everything was going to be fine to being sure that my entire family and life were going to be destroyed by Darlene. Somewhere along the line, even in my own head, I had stopped referring to her as Mom.

I was lucky that I had Andy with me every day and night. He’d gone back to his house long enough to pack the things he really needed, and he’d moved in. Under other circumstances, it probably would have been more gradual until, eventually, we just decided it was silly for him to keep paying for his apartment, but I needed him with me now.

He’d asked me the day after the papers were delivered if I was sure that I wanted him at the house. If he didn’t stay overnight, there was an argument to be made that Darlene had misunderstood the nature of our relationship and that Andy and I were only friends. I understood that it was an option he wasn’t happy about, but he was willing to do anything that Izzy and I needed, even walk away if it meant that we could stay together.

As scared as I am of losing Izzy, even for a second, I can’t give up Andy now. It would be like just handing the victory to my mother. I wasn’t willing to give up my soul mate on the chance that it would preserve the rest of my life. Even if I were willing to make the sacrifice, Izzy would never forgive me.

The scene at the breakfast table the morning after the paper service was mostly sad for me. I had to sit down with Jen and Andy and explain to my smart, funny, loving daughter what her Grandmother was trying to do in the least judgmental and reactionary language that I could come up with.

“Wait, hold up,” Izzy says, putting a hand in the air while swallowing a bite of the scrambled eggs that Andy made for breakfast. “Grandma thinks that you and Uncle Andy being in love is wrong, too? Like my name and my pants? And she wants to make me live with her instead of you guys? That’s just messed up.”

Izzy’s practical assessment of the situation makes me smile. “It’s not going to happen, sweetheart,” I tell her. “Your mom’s going to be our lawyer, and Grandpa Jim is on our side, too.” I leave out the forged signature and my parent’s relationship problems. That’s more that she needs to know. “The important part is that I need you to not go anywhere with anyone that Andy or Mom or I haven’t told you is safe, at least for this week. Unfortunately, Grandma Darlene isn’t a safe person right now.”

“Okay,” Izzy says around another mouthful of food. I think fleetingly about lecturing her about table manners, but I let it go for the moment. “That’s fine. Grandma got mad at me the last time I saw her anyway. We could probably use a break.”

Sometimes, it amazes me how practical and grown-up she is. It happened so fast, the transition from toddler to kid to mini-adult. Her reaction to the situation made me feel better for the moment, and we all headed off to our individual responsibilities. I dropped Izzy off at school and went to work, almost as if there hadn’t been a major earthquake in my world. Andy has been working from my house after he grabbed some things from his apartment and checked in on my Dad. We’re both a little worried about him. Leaving my mom is a huge life change, and I’m sure she’s not taking it easy on him. I make a mental note to check in with him myself soon.

Jen headed back to Denver and her job, but she’ll be back next weekend and ready for the Monday court date. We talked about her staying, but it didn’t seem necessary yet. If things go sideways in court, she may need her paid leave days to deal with things then.

It has been a week since those papers landed at my front door. Today, we’re meeting with Sam and Paul at Leeanne’s.

“Ready?” Andy asks.

“Yeah, let’s go,” I say, pushing the truck door open and stepping out into the embrace of the sun. The chime of the door ajar punctuates the quiet morning air. Its warmth is welcome against my skin. I always loved being outside, thinking that if being an officer didn’t work out for me, I’d be more than happy to work out on a ranch. Constantly hugged by the sun (at least when it wasn’t raining), not having to be stuck inside the same four walls day in and day out. But thankfully, I was more than happy with my career, even though some days were definitely harder than others.

We walk side by side to Leeanne’s. The bell above the door announces our arrival, and we’re instantly enveloped in the rich, comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Sam and Paul are already there. Sam, in his signature dark jeans and police department tee, wears his badge with a pride that’s always been his trademark. Paul, the epitome of style, is a picture of elegance in a crisp white shirt and tailored pants, which contrast awesomely with his bright blue hair.

Andy and I greet them and order coffees. We chat about the new deck Sam and Paul are adding on to their house and how their adoption paperwork is going while we wait for our drinks. After the waitress drops them off, I take a deep breath and update them on the situation. Sam and I have talked a little about it at work, but I wanted them to have all the details, do a little brainstorming, and get some reassurance before court tomorrow.

“So,” I begin, “I guess you know about the situation with my mother.”

The mood shift is immediate. Sam’s face hardens, the playful light that danced in his eyes moments ago now replaced by a steely determination. “We’ve heard, Brett,” he says, his voice carrying a mix of anger and resolve. “But it’d be better if we heard it all from you.”

I settle into my chair and let it all flow, even the worst parts of it. Sam was my friend, and Paul was just as close, I considered them family, so opening up to them wasn’t difficult. It was reliving it all that made it hard.

When I finish, Sam lets out a huff and says, “It’s unbelievable, man. For your own mother to pull something like this…”

I feel Andy’s hand squeeze mine under the table. “I can’t wrap my head around it,” I admit the words tasting bitter on my tongue. “I mean, she’s my mom. I thought she loved me unconditionally, but this…” I shake my head, the betrayal still cuts deep, a wound that bleeds and aches. “This is ridiculous. I figured some things could be difficult, but I thought the fight would be coming from the outside. I didn’t think my own family would turn against me like this. It’s fucked.”

Paul reaches across the table, his touch gentle yet firm. “Brett, love isn’t erased by ignorance and fear. But people...they can get lost, blinded by their own prejudices. Your mother is too worried about being judged to realize she’s handing out the most judgment of anyone involved. She can come back around.”

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